Special to Wesson News The Wesson Cobras have turned their undefeated start into something bigger than a strong opening to the football season. At 6-0, Wesson enters Friday night's Region 7-2A matchup at Loyd Star with momentum, confidence and an opportunity to strengthen its position in the district race. The Cobras are coming off a dominant 47-6 victory over Enterprise that kept their perfect record intact. The win also demonstrated the consistency Wesson has shown throughout the season as the Cobras continue to establish themselves as one of the area's top small-school football programs. Friday's game at Loyd Star marks another important step in the Cobras' district schedule. With the postseason picture beginning to take shape, each Region 7-2A game carries greater significance. A strong showing against Loyd Star would give Wesson another important district victory and keep the Cobras in position as they pursue a playoff berth and a potential district title. Wesson's success has been built on a combination of offensive production and defensive strength. The Cobras have posted several decisive victories this season, including shutouts against Lawrence County and other opponents, while continuing to put points on the scoreboard. The Cobras' defense was particularly impressive against Enterprise, holding the Bulldogs to six points while Wesson's offense produced 47. Now, the focus shifts to Loyd Star. The matchup provides Wesson with another opportunity to prove it can maintain its high level of play as the competition and stakes increase. The Cobras will need to remain focused through the remainder of the district schedule, where one game can have a significant effect on playoff positioning. Following Friday's game, Wesson will return home Oct. 16 to face Amite County. The Cobras' remaining schedule will continue to determine their position in the Region 7-2A standings and their path toward the postseason. For now, Wesson can enjoy the advantage of entering the pivotal stretch of the season without a loss. But with district competition underway, the margin for error becomes smaller. The Cobras have put themselves in position to make a postseason run. The challenge now is to finish the job.

by Robb Hicks During National Newspaper Week, we should all ask what would happen if our local newspaper suddenly disappeared. Our community would lose more than headlines. We would lose the public record of who voted for what, how tax dollars were spent and which promises were kept. We would lose the watchdog that asks the hard questions. We would also lose the chronicle of daily life: obituaries, births, honor rolls, ballgames, county fairs, veterans programs, business openings, retirements and the small acts of service that hold a town together. A newspaper is not just paper and ink. It is part of the civic fabric that holds a community together. That is why the crisis facing local newspapers should concern everyone, not just people in the news business. According to Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, close to 3,500 newspapers have disappeared in the United States since 2005. In the past year alone, another 148 vanished through closures or mergers. About 50 million Americans now have limited or no access to local news. Nearly 80% of the nation’s news deserts are in predominantly rural counties. This did not happen because people stopped needing local news. It happened because the old business model broke down. For generations, newspapers were supported by readers, advertisers and public notices. That worked when downtowns were strong, businesses were locally owned and advertising decisions were made by people who lived in town. The local hardware store bought an ad because its owner lived here, knew the newspaper and understood that supporting local institutions was part of doing business in the community. When that store becomes one location in a regional or national chain, the advertising decision may be made hundreds or thousands of miles away — if there is any local advertising at all. The store may still be here. The advertising dollars are not. At the same time, more local advertising dollars are flowing to social media and other digital platforms. Those companies can sell clicks. But they do not cover city council meetings, county budgets, school boards, youth baseball or print every kid on the honor roll. Newspapers must modernize. We have to make our websites better, improve our digital products, reach readers in new ways and become more efficient. But technology alone cannot replace a strong local business base. Philanthropy can help. Foundations can fund reporting projects, student journalism, technology and innovation. But grants are a bridge, not a permanent road for most community newspapers. There is another part of the equation that deserves more attention. Local newspapers have spent decades providing public-service information that government agencies and nonprofit organizations need communities to see — often at no cost. There is an important difference between news and public information. Reporters should decide what is news. Government agencies should not expect a news story to replace a communications budget. If an agency needs the public to understand a tax program, election, health service, school initiative or government program, it should budget to communicate that information through trusted local media. The same is true for nonprofits. A news release is not a communications plan. If telling people about available services or important community work is part of the mission, telling that story should also be part of the budget. Some states have started to act, creating tax credits and other programs to help protect local journalism jobs. Congress should move, too. The Community News and Small Business Support Act would help keep or expand local coverage in rural communities while also helping small businesses advertise in their local market. That matters because local stores are fighting their own battle. They cannot compete online against Amazon, national chains and big-box retailers with enormous advertising budgets and sophisticated digital marketing operations. Helping small businesses advertise locally could strengthen downtown businesses and local news coverage at the same time. Saving local news is not about nostalgia. It is about whether communities can still make informed decisions, preserve their shared history and hold those in power accountable. A community without a newspaper does not become better informed. It becomes more dependent on rumor, social media, press releases and outside narratives. It becomes less informed, less connected and easier to mislead. Accountability weakens. Civic engagement declines. And gradually, a community loses part of its shared identity. Newspapers are not dead. But they are fragile, and they are under pressure. People still read newspapers. They still value public notices. They still rely on local newspapers to understand their communities. In other words, they still matter. Maybe now more than ever. Robb Hicks is a third-generation Wyoming newspaperman and publisher of the Buffalo Bulletin. In 2025, Hicks, his wife Jen Sieve-Hicks, and Rob and Shaylee Mortimore stepped in after eight Wyoming newspapers abruptly closed in 2025. Together, they reopened the papers, restored local news coverage and kept those communities from becoming news deserts. Today, their growing newspaper group is focused on finding sustainable ways to preserve strong, locally owned journalism in rural communities.

By Jessica Breazeale When you look in the mirror, what do you see? Do you like what you see, or do your eyes go straight to the imperfections and stay there? Now try a harder question. What about the mirror to your heart? What do you see when you look inside, at the part no one else can see? Do you like what's there, or do you dislike that too? Where Our Self-Image Comes From How we see ourselves is multidimensional. Our self-image doesn't come from one place. It's pieced together from many: How others see us What people say about us What we assume people see or say (often louder than anything they actually said) Our culture Our religious community Our social standing Our wealth, or lack of it Our attitudes, opinions, and beliefs That's a lot of voices shaping one reflection. So how do you see yourself? Take Inventory It's important to do a self-inventory every so often. Have you changed? How have you changed? What do you notice now that you didn't before? What have you stopped noticing? Some changes are growth, and some are drift, and we can't tell which unless we stop and look. What God Sees We've heard this scripture our entire lives, but let's look at it again. It comes from 1 Samuel 16:7. The LORD was guiding the prophet Samuel to choose Israel's next king. Samuel saw Jesse's oldest son, Eliab, tall and impressive, and assumed he was the one. The LORD corrected him: "Don't judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7, NLT) God passed over all of Jesse's older sons and chose David, the youngest, who was out tending sheep. David wasn't perfect, and he wasn't the most likely to succeed. He was chosen anyway, because God looks at the heart. Step One Here's how I see it. Step one in loving yourself is liking yourself. Step one in liking yourself is believing that God cares most about your heart, not your reflection, your résumé, or your résumé of mistakes. That makes it extremely important to get our hearts right. Self-reflection is hard. It means looking at what we'd rather skip past. But the reward is in the hard. What’s the bigger picture? So today, take a long look in both mirrors. Don't just see what's wrong. Ask what God sees, and let that shape what you see too.

Special to Wesson News The Copiah-Lincoln Community College Alumni Association will recognize Charles Nelson as the 2026 Alumnus of the Year and Jessica Senter as the 2026 Young Alumna of the Year during Homecoming festivities on Thursday, Oct. 8. The two honorees will be recognized during the Alumni Awards Reception at 3:15 p.m. in the Thames Center on the Wesson Campus. Charles Nelson – Alumnus of the Year A native of Monticello, Mississippi, Nelson began his college journey at Co-Lin on a two-year basketball scholarship while studying pre-engineering. He later transferred to Louisiana State University, where he earned his engineering degree and began a 55-year career in the construction industry. Nelson also served for 14 years with the Army National Guard's 106th Engineering Battalion. Nelson began his career as a field engineer with H.A. Lott Inc., spending 34 years with the company and eventually serving as president from 1986–1995. He later joined Gilbane Building Company as a senior project executive, helping lead major construction and renovation projects across seven states. Throughout his career, Nelson became known not only for the projects he built, but also for his commitment to mentorship and service. He served as president of AGC Houston in 1993 and was later named an Honorary Lifetime Member. He also spent 12 years coaching youth football and baseball and served as chairman of deacons at Tallowood Baptist Church. Nelson and his wife, Ladonn, married in 1965 and have two children and two grandchildren. Jessica Senter – Young Alumna of the Year Senter was an active member of the Co-Lin campus community, serving as a Colette, Trailblazer and member of Phi Beta Lambda. She was also selected to represent her class on the Homecoming Court. After Co-Lin, Senter transferred to Mississippi State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. She later earned her master's degree from Belhaven University and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration. Senter serves as Director of Outreach and Engagement for the Children's Foundation of Mississippi, where she works with organizations across the state to improve the lives of children and families. She is also a member of Leadership Greater Jackson's 38th cohort and serves on the board of the Copiah-Lincoln Band and Colette Alumni Association. Senter credits her time at Co-Lin with building the confidence, relationships and foundation that have shaped her career and commitment to serving others. She and her husband, Devonte, live in Jackson with their dog, Onyx. Nelson and Senter will be honored alongside Co-Lin's 2026 Hall of Fame recipients during the Alumni Awards Reception. Homecoming festivities will continue throughout the afternoon before the Co-Lin Wolf Pack hosts East Central at 6:30 p.m. in Stone Stadium.

The Copiah-Lincoln Community College Athletic Alumni Association will induct eight members into the Sports Hall of Fame during Homecoming festivities on Thursday, Oct. 8. This year's class includes Frank Chatman, Curtis Hobbs, Dusty Hutto, Leonard Johnson, Allen Kent, Victoria McDonald, Floyd Bradley Ratcliff, and Pat Williams. They will be inducted during the Alumni Association Awards Reception at 3:15 p.m. in the Thames Center on the Wesson Campus. Frank Chatman Chatman made his mark on the Co-Lin men's basketball program from 1986–1988, helping lead the Wolves to an impressive 33–2 record and a seventh-place finish at the NJCAA National Tournament. Averaging 10 points per game, Chatman earned Honorable Mention All-State and Third Team All-Region honors. He ranked second on the team in assists and third in steals while making 44 three-pointers at a 46 percent clip and shooting 83 percent from the free-throw line. One of the highlights of his Co-Lin career came when he hit a game-winning buzzer-beater against Rochester (N.Y.) Community College. After two seasons at Co-Lin, Chatman continued his collegiate career at Mississippi College, where he earned two varsity letters and was twice named Gulf South Conference Player of the Week. His career included a 33-point performance in which he connected on eight three-pointers. Chatman later continued his basketball career overseas with Sanjoanense in Portugal's Division II professional league. He averaged 44 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals per game and was named Player of the Week four times. Chatman and his wife, Vanessa, have been married for 27 years and have four children: Justin, Jada, Brandon and Markeis Reed. For more than two decades, Chatman has continued to use basketball and ministry to mentor and encourage young people in the Missouri City and Sugar Land, Texas, areas. He is the founder and director of H-Town Next Level Basketball Academy and has twice been named Youth Basketball League Coach of the Year in the Houston and Fort Bend areas. Chatman holds a Bachelor of Science in Sports and Health Science from American Public University and is an ordained minister with more than 25 years of service. He is also the founding pastor of Open Doors Life Church in Rosharon, Texas. Curtis Hobbs Hobbs was a standout member of the Co-Lin football program, earning All-State and All-Region 23 honors during his time with the Wolves. He was also selected to play in the Mississippi Junior College All-Star Game, where he was named Most Valuable Player, and earned Player of the Year honors. After Co-Lin, Hobbs continued his football career at Nicholls State University from 1982–1983. During his time with the Colonels, he led the team in receptions and finished his career as the program's fourth all-time leader in receptions. His performance also ranked him 11th in NCAA Division I-AA in receptions. Hobbs continued his football career at the professional level when he was selected in the eighth round of the draft by the Jacksonville Bulls. Hobbs is married to Gloria Hobbs. They have two children, Curtis and Cornelius, and three grandchildren, Reagon, Cannon and Carter. He currently resides in Magee, Mississippi. Active in his church and community, Hobbs serves as a deacon at St. Peter M.B. Church. Dusty Hutto Hutto distinguished himself as a member of the Co-Lin golf program, earning Second Team All-American and Second Team All-State honors during his time with the Wolves. He was a member of a State Championship team and recorded the lowest scoring average in the conference in 1999. Hutto also earned individual medalist honors three times during his Co-Lin career. After Co-Lin, Hutto continued his collegiate golf career at the University of Southern Mississippi. Hutto has remained involved in the game as the golf coach at Franklin County High School, where he has the opportunity to share his knowledge and experience with the next generation of golfers. Hutto currently resides in Roxie, Mississippi, and is the father of five children: Ana, Lilly, Tim, Jack and Eddy. Leonard Johnson Johnson was a standout quarterback for the Co-Lin football program from 1986–1987. Johnson helped lead the Wolves as quarterback of the undefeated 1986 championship team and earned All-Conference and All-American honors during his Co-Lin career. After Co-Lin, Johnson continued his collegiate football career at Alabama A&M University. Following his college career, he remained at quarterback and continued playing in the semi-professional ranks with the St. Petersburg Sharks of the Southern States Football League. Johnson became a key part of the Sharks during the team's successful run in the early 2000s. As the team's starting quarterback and a veteran leader, he helped guide St. Petersburg to a championship following the 2001 season, earning his first SSFL championship ring. A Clearwater, Florida, native and former Clearwater High School quarterback, Johnson has remained connected to the game through coaching and working with young athletes in the Clearwater and Dunedin areas. Allen Kent Kent's connection to Co-Lin began as a student-athlete, playing baseball for the Wolves and graduating in 1984. He later returned to Co-Lin and spent 16 seasons leading the Lady Wolves softball program from 2002–2018. During his tenure, Kent guided Co-Lin to two Region 23 Championships and an appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament championship game, where the Lady Wolves finished as national runner-up. His success earned him MACCC Coach of the Year honors three times and Region 23 Coach of the Year honors twice. Kent continued his service to Co-Lin athletics as golf coach from 2020–2026. During that time, he coached three individual appearances in the NJCAA National Tournament, while his team also excelled in the classroom, earning a No. 2 national academic ranking. A graduate of Mississippi State University, Kent continues his involvement in athletics as a high school softball umpire. He resides in Brookhaven, Mississippi, and attends First Baptist Church Brookhaven. Kent is married to Wanda Kent. They have one son, Colby, who is married to Erica, and two grandchildren, Griffin and Fallon. Victoria McDonald McDonald was a standout member of the Co-Lin women's basketball program. During the 1984–1985 season, she averaged 11.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, helping lead the Lady Wolves to an impressive 30–2 record and a runner-up finish in the MACJC State Tournament. McDonald followed that performance with an outstanding season, averaging 16.4 points and 9.6 rebounds per game as the Lady Wolves compiled a 28–4 record. Her performance earned her MACJC First Team All-State honors. After Co-Lin, McDonald continued her collegiate basketball career at Jackson State University, where she earned Newcomer of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and First Team SWAC All-Conference honors. In 2015, she was inducted as a Legend into the Jackson State University Alumni Players Association Hall of Honor in recognition of her athletic achievements, sportsmanship, integrity and character. McDonald currently serves with the Hinds County Sheriff's Department Transportation Division. She is the proud mother of three children, Jessica, Victor and Mikhail. Floyd Bradley Ratcliff Ratcliff represented Co-Lin as a member of the Wolf Pack tennis program and was part of the 1981 MACJC Championship team. A member of the Class of 1981, his time as a student-athlete at Co-Lin marked the beginning of a lifelong connection to his community and a career defined by service to others. After leaving Co-Lin, Ratcliff continued his education at Mississippi State University. Ratcliff went on to dedicate nearly three decades to the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, serving the agency for 28 years. He also spent 20 years serving his local community through the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office. A longtime resident of Brookhaven, Mississippi, Ratcliff is married to Janet Bullock Ratcliff. They have two children, Sam Ratcliff and Susanna Ratcliff Hedgepeth, and four grandchildren: Ruby Ratcliff, Lucy Ratcliff, Winnie Hedgepeth and Daisy Hedgepeth. From his days representing Co-Lin on the tennis court to his many years of public service, Ratcliff has remained rooted in the community he calls home. Pat Williams Williams was a standout member of the Co-Lin baseball program and a member of the Class of 2005. During his time with the Wolves, Williams helped Co-Lin capture the South Division and Region 23 championships and earn a trip to the 2005 NJCAA World Series. His performance on the national stage earned him a spot on the 2005 NJCAA World Series All-Tournament Team. Williams also earned All-Region and All-District honors and was recognized as an Academic All-American. After Co-Lin, Williams continued his collegiate baseball career at Delta State University. Williams currently works for Shell Pipeline and resides in Crystal Springs, Mississippi, with his wife, Lyndse. They have two children, Adylyn and Miles. Williams continues to stay connected to the game of baseball by working with young athletes through baseball camps and one-on-one player development, sharing his experience and knowledge of the game with the next generation of players. Admission to the Alumni Awards Reception is free. Kickoff for the Homecoming game against East Central is at 6:30 p.m. For more information on Homecoming events, visit www.colin.edu.

Copiah-Lincoln Community College has named Christopher "Chris" Hinton as Executive Director of Workforce Education. Hinton brings nearly 20 years of experience in economic development, workforce initiatives, business and industry engagement, and organizational leadership to the position. In his new role, Hinton will lead Co-Lin's workforce education efforts across the college's seven-county district, including oversight of the Brookhaven and Natchez WIN Job Centers. His office will be located on the Wesson Campus. He will work closely with business and industry, economic development organizations, and workforce partners to guide training initiatives and workforce services throughout the district. "Co-Lin has an important role in helping ensure that southwest Mississippi has the skilled workforce needed to support existing industries and attract new investment," said Co-Lin President Dr. Dewayne Middleton. "Hinton's background in economic development will help us further align workforce training with the needs of business and industry and expand pathways to high-demand careers that provide greater economic opportunity for the people and communities we serve." Hinton's career includes experience with Entergy Mississippi, the Mississippi Municipal League, Natchez, Inc., the Mississippi Economic Development Council, and the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation Services. During nearly a decade with Entergy Mississippi, Hinton led community, economic, and workforce initiatives throughout 45 counties. "Chris brings a unique perspective to this position because of his extensive background in economic development," said Dr. Jackie Martin, Vice President of the Wesson Campus. "I believe that experience will allow us to look at workforce development through a different lens—one that more closely connects economic development, business and industry, and education. I am excited about the perspective he brings and the opportunities ahead to strengthen partnerships, respond to the needs of employers, and expand workforce training throughout our seven-county district." Hinton holds a master's degree in economic development from the University of Southern Mississippi and a bachelor's degree in economics with an emphasis in business administration from Tougaloo College. He is also a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute. Hinton has served in leadership roles with several statewide organizations, including the Mississippi Main Street Association, Mississippi District Export Council, and Jobs for Mississippi Graduates. His professional honors include recognition as a Mississippi Business Journal Top 40 Under 40 Business Leader and the 2024 Marsha N. Hamilton Spirit in Economic Development Award from the Mississippi Development Authority. He is an alum of Leadership Mississippi, Leadership Natchez, Delta Leadership Institute and the Harvard Kennedy School Authentic Leaders program. "It is truly an honor to join the Co-Lin family and step into the higher education space," Hinton said. "I'm grateful for the opportunity and the confidence placed in me to help lead and shape workforce training across southwest Mississippi. For me, this work is bigger than training programs. It's about creating pathways to opportunity, strengthening the connection between education and industry, and making sure our communities are prepared for what's next. I look forward to building on Co-Lin's commitment to workforce education while strengthening local, state, and federal partnerships that expand opportunities for our students, employers, and the communities we serve." For more information or to discuss partnership opportunities, contact Chris Hinton at 601.643.8715 or chris.hinton@colin.edu.

by Charlie Rook Wesson continued its undefeated start Friday night with another dominant performance, defeating Enterprise 47-6 at home. The Cobras moved to 6-0 overall and 1-0 in region play with the victory. It was also the third straight game in which Wesson's defense held its opponent to six points or fewer. Wesson has outscored its last three opponents 107-6, including shutout victories over Lumberton and Lawrence County before Friday's win over Enterprise. The Cobras have found different ways to win throughout the season, including a 15-14 victory over Franklin County earlier in the year, but have been dominant over the last several weeks. Wesson will try to keep its perfect season alive Friday, Oct. 9, when the Cobras travel to face Loyd Star.

The Wesson Cobras continued their unbeaten start to the season Friday night, rolling past the Enterprise Yellowjackets 47-6 for their sixth consecutive victory. The win also marked Wesson’s highest-scoring game of the season as the Cobras continued to build momentum heading into district play. Senior quarterback Wesley Loy and senior running back B.P. Robbins led the way for Wesson. Loy completed 10 of 13 passes for 157 yards and three touchdowns, completing 76.9% of his attempts. Robbins added 85 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries. Robbins’ three rushing touchdowns marked a season high for the senior. The Cobras improved to 6-0 with the victory, maintaining their perfect record through the first six games of the season. Enterprise fell to 4-2 following the loss. The Yellowjackets had won four consecutive games after ending a five-game losing streak that extended back to last season. Both teams will return to the road Friday. Wesson will travel to face Loyd Star in a 7 p.m. matchup, while Enterprise will travel to Bogue Chitto for a 7 p.m. game.

by Benjy Hamm When the Declaration of Independence was signed 250 years ago, newspapers throughout the colonies shared the life-changing news with their readers. With all of the enormous changes in this country and media since 1776, it’s noteworthy that more than 5,000 newspapers are still informing their communities about what their leaders are doing and how those actions affect them. Often, newspaper reporters are the only journalists who cover the actions of the local school board or city council or youth sports teams. The 2025 State of Local News report by Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism revealed that there are more than 1,500 counties in the United States served by only one news media outlet. In almost all of those counties, the news source is a local newspaper. It used to be hard to imagine how different communities would be without local news sources. But in recent years, the changing business models for news organizations have led to an increasing number of so-called news deserts – places where residents don’t have access to independent coverage of their communities. Research shows that the lack of news coverage can lead to a number of problems: fewer people voting, more corruption, higher costs of government and a reduced connection among residents. One of this country’s most famous founders, Thomas Jefferson, wrote, "Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter." That doesn’t mean Jefferson always liked what newspapers wrote about him, his decisions or his policies. He often disagreed vehemently. But he and other founders inherently understood the importance of having a government watchdog and independent voices that are free to challenge policies and leaders, with the goals of better informing residents about the world around them and improving society. The founders understood this nation needed guarantees to protect vigorous discussions and disagreements, particularly about the government. So, they created the Bill of Rights in 1791, starting with the First Amendment that ensures free speech and a free press. Sustaining a free press isn’t free, nor is it easy. The type of news coverage that helps to change laws and change lives – including exposing problems and wrongdoing in communities that some would prefer to keep hidden – can be difficult, time-consuming and expensive. It was true 250 years ago, and it’s still true today. Some critics have been predicting the death of newspapers since at least the invention of radio, and those predictions have increased with the creation of television, the internet and social media. Yet, newspapers have persevered, adapted their business models and remained as essential institutions in their communities. In this time of another upheaval of the media business model, newspapers are yet again adapting for the future. Their news is shared not just in print as it was in 1776, but also to millions of readers online and through social media by the news organizations themselves and countless other people. Surveys that cite how many Americans receive news from their “phones” these days don’t consider where those phones get their news and information. Many readers don’t know the origin either. But much of the commentary and sharing of news that is abundant online and in social media can be traced back to the original sources: journalists. As we celebrate National Newspaper Week during Oct. 4-10, it’s important to reflect on why the founders believed so strongly in the need for a free press to cover this nation without government control, without fear or favor and without undue influence from powerful people. The value of a free press is not simply to protect the press, but to protect democracy. It’s based on the belief that a better-informed citizenry is essential for the United States to not only survive, but to thrive. In today’s crowded media market, where misinformation and disinformation are abundant, it’s crucial that newspapers continue to serve in their role as watchdogs and as trusted sources to inform, inspire, educate and connect the communities they serve. There’s no way to predict how the United States will change and evolve over the next 250 years. But it’s certain we will continue to need a free press and independent journalists to document those changes and provide the important news coverage that is vital for this nation’s future. Benjy Hamm is director of the national Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues and an associate professor at the University of Kentucky’s School of Journalism and Media. He previously served as editorial director for Landmark Community Newspapers and as an editor at The Virginian-Pilot, The Associated Press and the New York Times Regional Newspaper Group.

By Misty Strieff Prine “He holds galaxies yet notices when your heart trembles. The same hands that named every star also caught every tear. Majesty and mercy in one heartbeat – that’s the God you belong to.” – Ange Little I shared this message the other day and I felt so strongly to share it on this platform as well. I believe that so many of us are facing trials and hardships right now and may be searching for a since of belonging. This message, to me personally, serves as the sweetest reminder that we are loved, cherished and cared about and, most importantly, KNOWN BY NAME, by the Creator of this world. Life can get mighty, mighty difficult indeed. We feel overwhelmed, our cups run low, and we just feel…stuck. We feel like we need to stop talking to those we talk to because we don’t want to come off as complainers, when we really just need to let it out and get it off our chest, but it’s recurring every day. We get so consumed with how hard life is that we forget there’s one person that could hear our story over and over again and truly is the only One that can give us His strength and answers to overcome it. Out Heavenly Father calls each star by name and He knows OUR names. Yes, He does!! Oh, the love He has for us! He knows when our heart trembles and we are suffering. He knows that we don’t always come to Him first because the enemy wants us to become overwhelmed, anxious and anxiety riddled. But may we never EVER forget that the ONE who holds the stars in place, calls them by name and spoke everything into existence knows us PERSONALLY and wants to help us through these tough times. He wants a relationship with us daily, but our enemy wants us consumed by doubt, fear and worry. We need to remember just how loved we truly are. Thank You, Lord, for this beautiful reminder of Your grace. Thank You for Your mercy. I pray things get better in the coming days for anyone on this platform that may be going through a difficult time in their life as well. Maybe this message was meant for you. Only God knows. But you’ll know when you read it for sure. God has a way of getting messages to those who really stand in need of it.

Special to Wesson News The Wesson Lions Club kicked off its annual sweet potato fundraiser Oct. 1, continuing a community tradition that has supported the organization's activities for approximately 15 years. The club is selling 40-pound boxes of sweet potatoes for $20. The annual fundraiser provides an opportunity for community members to purchase locally available produce while supporting the Lions Club's work. To purchase sweet potatoes or for more information about the fundraiser, contact Alton Ricks at 601-643-2466. The fundraiser has become a recurring part of the club's community activities, bringing residents together in support of its service efforts. The Wesson Lions Club is part of Lions Clubs International, a service organization whose members support community projects and humanitarian efforts, including vision care, hunger relief and youth programs. Proceeds from the annual sweet potato sale help support the club's activities and community service initiatives.

By Bob Garver Poster credit IMDB In “Primetime,” Robert Pattinson plays Chris Hansen, host of “To Catch a Predator,” an offshoot of NBC’s “Dateline” news program in the mid-2000’s. Hansen and the show’s production team would coordinate with police to lure child predators (via Internet chatrooms where there would be no ambiguity as to their intent) to locations where they would be ambushed, first by Hansen and his cameras, then by the police. While removing child predators from society was undeniably good work, doing so in the form of a television program was morally dubious, as there was an exploitative element to broadcasting the lowest moments of the predators’ lives in the name of entertainment. Then again, if anyone deserves that kind of humiliation, it’s child predators. The debate over the righteousness of the show swirls to this day, and there’s no real “right” answer, but “Primetime” doesn’t want the viewer coming away thinking that Hansen and his team were saints. To be clear, this isn’t the kind of movie that tries to make it seem like Hansen and his team were the real villains on “To Catch a Predator,” it never goes that far. The marks on that show were the lowest scum of the earth and there is absolutely no confusion about that in the movie. But it does play up the “selfishness” aspect of benefitting from their downfall in the form of tangible television success and intangible feelings of moral superiority. At the beginning of the film, the show is already enjoying success in a late-night timeslot. Hansen has show’s formula down (yes, he asks the mark to have a seat) and he’s famous enough to get recognized on airplanes. But NBC executive Jeff Zucker (playing himself) wants he and his producer Andie (Merritt Wever) to take the show to an earlier – primetime - slot. However, they’ll have to make the show more exciting with more sensational creative choices and taking down more interesting targets. The latter isn’t exactly the sort of thing they can engineer, though they are on the trail of a guy going to a high-profile state funeral in Texas. They pass up the opportunity to catch many predators in New Jersey to focus on this one “whale.” Everybody’s life is a mess. Hansen’s relationship with his wife (Anna Faris) is crumbling and he’s about to be exposed for an affair. Andie is way over-budget and feeling unappreciated. New “decoy” actor Dan (Skyler Gosondo) is in way over his head both performing and living with his role in the operation. The movie seemingly learns in real time that Decoy Dan is a more interesting character than Pattinson’s compelling-but-imitative Hansen, and shoehorns him into scenes where he doesn’t belong in the third act. The only way for these people to feel better about themselves personally and professionally is to catch predators and hit them with the full force of their insecurities. There are worse targets for such bullying, but is it healthy or right that they’re doing this kind of bullying at all? Considering the work that’s getting done as a result of this bullying, probably yes, but maybe a less enthusiastic yes than it would seem at first. “Primetime” certainly wants the viewers to see the ratings-chasing Hansen and Andi as “sleazy,” though reports of them coming off as outright villains have been exaggerated. The same can be said of reports of this subtly being a “horror” movie, which can be blamed on the way the film’s trailer was edited. Surely some of the film’s subject matter is horrific in a non-cinematic way, but Chris Hansen is no slasher, not even figuratively. The only thing getting chopped to pieces here is the film itself, in that there are some nonsensical editing choices that make timeframes murky and rob the film of urgency. If this film fits comfortably into the fringes of your schedule, fine, but don’t waste your primetime hours making time for it. Grade: C “Primetime” is rated R for disturbing sexual material, graphic nudity, some violent content, and language. Its running time is 110 minutes. Contact Bob Garver at rrg251@nyu.edu.